Decline of the West

The Washington Times ^ | 2-15-06 | Paul Greenberg

[JZelle]

When future historians do their postmortem on the West, what will they cite as the cause of death? Caesarism? Suicide? Nuclear incineration? It may be nothing so dramatic, but just a general failure to thrive. You can sense it in the latest retreat from principle. Note the West's response, or lack of it, to the violent scenes in the Arab world and beyond as ambassadors are called home, boycotts declared, embassies burned, flags stomped et (usual) cetera -- all in response to some less-than-respectful depictions in a Danish newspaper of the Prophet, the blessings of Allah be upon him and all his household.

[Earthdweller]

"....of the Prophet, the blessings of Allah be upon him and all his household."

Is this writer a Muslium? Please tell me this is not a typical American chanting this blessings stuff.

[2banana]

We in the West should distribute copies of Milton's "Areopagitica," and explaining why the best reply to a bad idea is a better idea, not mindless violence. We should declare freedom, if it is to have any meaning, is freedom for the thought one hates, and that a crime is still a crime even and especially if committed in the name of the holy.

Freedom will always be a kind of island in the world, expanding or shrinking depending on whether those who say they believe in it are willing to defend it.

What, defend the most basic of our values in clear, unambiguous words and deeds? Unthinkable. We must be, uh, nuanced lest we offend the forces of violence and oppression around the world. And so the West declines.

Some cultures only understand fear and greed...

[stuartcr]

What does religion have to do with being a typical American?

[Earthdweller]

"What does religion have to do with being a typical American?"

Most papers wouldn't be caught dead "chanting".anything of a religious nature.

This is the first time I have seen an American paper write the "Blessings be upon him" chant.

What is happening here? I haven't seen a secular writer print anything like this in my lifetime. Have you?

[Proud_USA_Republican]

Three reasons the west will fall:

1) Political Correctness

2) Liberalism

3) Multiculturism

[siunevada]

a Muslium?Is that a Muslim/Helium thing?

Please tell me this is not a typical American chanting this blessings stuff.

Given the general tenor of the first paragraph and the title of the piece, it appears somewhat facetious. Hold the outrage.

[Paleo Conservative]

When future historians do their postmortem on the West, what will they cite as the cause of death?

What historians? What post mortem? Who will give a damn about the Infidels that preceded Muslims in Dar Al Islam?

[Earthdweller]

Last refuge of the editors..check for typos.

Do we really need to have the blessings of the big "A" in there? This is starting a bad precedent.

[Ninian Dryhope]

"What will they cite as the cause of death?"

While it is not the cause of its death, the male figure skating at the Olympics that I watched last night on TV is a pretty clear sign of its decline.

[stormlead]

The West has been on the ascendant for thousands of years, surviving the Peloponesian War, the fall of the Roman Empire, the Bubonic Plague, the World Wars, etc.

Right now, a lot of people in the West are taking what they have for granted- but these illusions will disappear should true adversity arise.

[Aquinasfan]

What distinguishes a great civilization is its tolerance of ideas it does not share and even sees as offensive.

So Germany was a "great civilization" for tolerating nascent Nazism?

Tolerance can have some merit, depending on circumstances, but it can't be a first principle of government. Otherwise, governments would have to simultaneously adopt contradictory policies.

[siunevada]

Last refuge of the editors..check for typos.

I just made one myself on another thread. Resprect.

Can I possibly hit the Post button any faster?

[Antoninus]

Tolerance can have some merit, depending on circumstances, but it can't be a first principle of government. Otherwise, governments would have to simultaneously adopt contradictory policies.

Well put. The first principle of successful governments, as our Founding Fathers knew, is a healthy respect for Natural Law. The fact that we are in such a rush to discard Natural Law for some amorphous "tolerance" as the basis for our system of government does not bode well.

[hubbubhubbub]

Three reasons the west will fall:

1) Political Correctness

2) Liberalism

3) Multiculturism


From a cultural standpoint true. From a economic standpoint:
1. Taxation
2. Regulation
3. Litigation

[Earthdweller]

LOL

Time to let these hands take a rest.

A bientot.

[stuartcr]

Lots of times. Haven't you ever read in the paper, someone saying God bless you, or God bless us all. It's all over the place, especially at Christmas and Easter time.

[Earthdweller]

"Lots of times. Haven't you ever read in the paper, someone saying God bless you, or God bless us all. It's all over the place, especially at Christmas and Easter time."

"God" is like a generic term for a deity isn't it?. "Allah" pays credence to a particular religion if I am not mistaken.

[stuartcr]

It would depend on the language, I suppose. God is God, regardless of any religion. It seems that when people see the word Allah, they think Islam word for God. How anyone could be offended by this, is beyond me.

[Earthdweller]

Well, the word "Allah" is thrown out there a lot by a few of my threatening enemies right now. For that reason I might be just a little touchy on the subject at the moment.

Take care..I have to run.